Nurburgring

With the unveiling of the new generation Megane RS last year, Renault was expected to reclaim the Nurburgring crown for FWD production cars from the Honda Civic Type R. Fast forward to the present day and we have an even more track-focused version of the hot hatch, the Renault Megane RS Trophy. But the French automaker still hasn’t provided enthusiasts with a timed lap of the Nurburgring. And this brings us to the following video, and the inevitable question: could it be that Renaultsport is finally getting ready for an official run? If so, then the target to beat is 7:43.8, a time set by the Honda Civic Type R in April 2017. Also Watch: Honda Civic Type R vs Hyundai i30N vs Renault Megane RS Cup: Place Your Bets At a first glance, the new Renault Megane RS Trophy has the credentials to do it, with its turbo’d 1.8-liter four-pot rated at 300 PS (296 hp / 221 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of peak torque. That’s 20 PS (20 hp / 15 kW) shy of the Civic Type R’s … [Read more...] about Renault Megane RS Spied At The ‘Ring, Is It Chasing The Civic Type R’s Lap Record?

Porsche, in collaboration with Manthey Racing, took a slightly modified 911 GT2 RS MR at the Nurburgring and broke the lap record for the fastest road-legal vehicle (again) after lapping the 20.6 km (12.8-mile) long circuit in just 6 minutes and 40.3 seconds. With racing driver Lars Kern behind the wheel, this iteration of the 911 GT2 RS completed the lap nearly 5 seconds faster than the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ and over three seconds faster from the McLaren P1 LM. For the record-breaking run, the 911 GT2 RS MR had a special overall set up tailored to the characteristics of the Nordschleife. Manthey Racing, which is mostly owned by Porsche, looked at the development of the 911 RSR and 911 GT3 R racers and modified the chassis and aerodynamics of the car. The company also relied on their motorsports partner Esso for fuel. Also Watch: Onboard Video: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Vs Porsche 911 GT2 RS Nurburgring Lap Porsche and Manthey Racing didn’t go into many details on the … [Read more...] about Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR Claims The Throne Of The ‘Ring With A 6:40.3

A number of new Porsche 911 (code name: 992) prototypes have been filmed testing at the Nurburgring, including an especially intriguing Turbo mule. As has always been the case, the next-generation 911 Turbo will be the most well-rounded model in the range, offering stellar performance with exceptional driveability and comfort. The new version will, however, look much more aggressive model than the outgoing model. If you skip to the 1-minute mark in the video below, you’ll see a blacked-out 911 Turbo prototype being pushed to its limits at the circuit. As it rounds the corner, its all-new active rear wing comes into view, and it is much more prominent than the ones attached to previous Turbo models. A similar prototype filmed racing a McLaren 720S last month was fitted with the same rear wing. In its deployed position, the wing extends much further up than previously and will inevitably help to increase downforce, which should make the new 911 Turbo even faster around a racetrack. … [Read more...] about Porsche 911 Turbo (992) Runs At The ‘Ring With Huge Rear Wing

Only days ago, Subaru announced the tiniest of updates for its BRZ sports car in Japan, which consist of a set of revised dampers and new wheel arch fins behind the rear wheels. While we’re used to Subaru updating the BRZ at an agonizingly slow pace without ever touching the engine compartment, we were intrigued by the sight of a prototype at the Nürburgring: just what is Subaru doing there with the BRZ? We don’t know exactl,y but what we do know is the mystery white prototype features two barely noticeable changes to the bodywork. More specifically, the coupe sports big vertical air vents between the front wheels and the door edges, as well as two smaller outlets cut on each side of the rear bumper. It’s possible that Subaru is preparing some aero updates to the BRZ aimed at making the car more “slippery” by reducing turbulence inside the wheel wells. Turbulence, also known as “dirty air,” creates drag and slows the car down. That’s … [Read more...] about Badgeless Subaru BRZ Prototype With Aero Updates Spotted At The ‘Ring

Another Nürburgring Nordschleife record has fallen, ladies and gentlemen, and the car that beat it is… not a car. It’s the VW Transporter van, which set an unofficial lap record in the hands of British touring car ace Rob Austin. The HMS Racing driver covered the infamous race track in 9 minutes 58 seconds, enough to beat the previous record set by Sabine Schmitz in 2005 with a Ford Transit. Back then, the German queen of the Nürburgring posted a lap time of 10 minutes 08.49 seconds as part of a Top Gear episode, which means Austin was almost 10 seconds quicker. However, the Transporter T6 is not the fastest-ever van around the Green Hell: that honor belongs to another VW Transporter, a Revo-tuned T5. The 220-hp van was clocked at 9 minutes 57.36 seconds in 2013, an impressive feat given that it covered the full circuit. Both Schmitz and Austin covered the bridge to gantry version, which is around a mile (1.61 km) shorter. Still, the 9-minute 58-second … [Read more...] about All Hail The New Van King Of The Nürburgring, The Stock VW Transporter